§ 37. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council what representations he has received for increased facilities in the international section of the Library, in view of the United Kingdom's impending entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe hon. Member has made his own representations to me about this matter. I understand that the Librarian is shortly to apply for additional staff in this section.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many hon. Members who, while paying tribute to the wonderful service with which we are now provided, feel that there is an inadequacy of translations into the various European languages and that an urgent increase in the staff would be highly desirable, and acceptable to most hon. Members?
§ Mr. WhitelawI note what the hon. Gentleman says. The Librarian is looking into these questions.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisI pay tribute—I am sure on behalf of the whole House—to the wonderful services that we get from the Library, but is the Leader of the House aware that one cannot get from the Foreign Office translations of the 1500 directives from the E.E.C.? When one tries to get them from the Library, as helpful as that establishment is, one finds that it has not got sufficient staff. If the right hon. Gentleman cannot help with regard to the Library, can he help with regard to the Foreign Office, to ensure at least that we get these directives in English translations?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am very glad to endorse the tributes that have been paid by both hon. Members to our Library staff. I think that that is a view widely shared throughout the House. I will certainly look into the hon. Gentleman's second point.